In Memoriam

Retired Col. Harold G. Beal Jr. of Spring Lake Heights, N.J., passed away Sept. 10. Born in the Bronx, N.Y., on Feb. 3, 1929, Beal was a proud U.S. Army veteran who was stationed in Germany, Virginia and New York during his 30-year active and reserve military career, which included serving as the associate director of admissions and reserve affairs advisor from 1971-78 at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

While at West Point, he also served as head cross country coach and was named the New York Colleges Coach of the Year in 1975.

He continued his affiliation with West Point after moving to Spring Lake Heights in 1980 and was academic dean of the U.S. Military Academy Preparatory School at Fort Monmouth through 1995, where he also served as the head cross country coach. Read More

“Mitch Winey was my best friend and after I ordered my ring I realized that I had coincidentally chosen his birth stone as the center piece and mine as the stone dividers. I got both our names inscribed on the inside and I got a pendant and battle ring for his mom and dad respectively.”

– Cadet Zain Shaikh said, who stands with Mitchell Winey’s family during the Ring Ceremony, Aug. 25.Read More

Monsignor Robert F. McCormick, of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York and former pastor of St. Augustine’s Church in Ossining, New York, died Sept. 23, at the Convent of St. Birgitta, in Darien, Connecticut, where he was the resident chaplain. He was 95.

Upon his ordination in 1947, Msgr. McCormick served at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Chapel, at the U.S. Military Academy, for 28 years until 1975.

While there he helped oversee the redesign and expansion of the chapel. He counseled numerous West Pointers, including cadets, officers and enlisted men, and formed many lasting friendships, including leaders at the highest levels at the Academy.

In 1975, he was appointed pastor at St. Augustine’s Church in Ossining and was elevated to Monsignor during his tenure there. Read More

U.S. Military Academy Cadet Brandon T. Jackson, a member of the Class of 2019, from Queens, New York, died as the result of a single car accident Sunday in Croton, New York.

“The Corps of Cadets is very saddened by the loss of their teammate, Cadet Brandon Jackson, who was a proud and committed member of Echo Company, 2nd Regiment,” Commandant of Cadets Brig. Gen. Diana Holland said. “We extend our deepest sympathies to Brandon’s family and friends during this most difficult time.”

“We will honor his life as we mourn the untimely death of a young man who had a promising future as a leader in service to our Nation,” said Lt. Gen. Robert L. Caslen Jr., Superintendent of the U. Read More

U.S. Military Academy Cadet Thomas M. Surdyke, a member of the Class of 2019, succumbed to injuries on June 30 after an incident while he was on leave at Coppers Beach in Southhampton Village, New York.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Surdyke family during this difficult time,” Commandant of Cadets Brig. Gen. Diana Holland said.

“Cadet Surdyke epitomized the values of Duty, Honor, Country in all that he did,” said Lt. Gen. Robert L. Caslen Jr., academy superintendent, in a letter to the West Point community. “His classmates remember him most for his uplifting personality and quick sense of humor.”

Private services and funeral took place Monday at Most Holy Trinity Chapel. His interment followed at the West Point Cemetery. Read More

FORT HOOD, Texas—Hundreds of family, friends, comrades and supporters attended a memorial held for Class of 2018 Cadet Mitchell Alexander Winey, 21, at the Spirit of Fort Hood Chapel June 9.

Winey, of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, was one of nine victims of the flood waters that took his life and the lives of eight Soldiers while conducting convoy operations with 3rd Battalion, 16th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, June 2.

WEST POINT, N.Y.—U.S. Military Academy Cadet Mitchell A. Winey, a member of the Class of 2018, from Chesterton, Indiana, died along with eight other Soldiers during a training accident after flood waters overturned the Light Medium Tactical Vehicle they were traveling in June 2 at Fort Hood, Texas.

“Our continued thoughts and prayers are with the Winey family and all those who have been affected in this unfortunate accident,” Commandant of Cadets Brig. Gen. Diana Holland said. “This is a terrible loss that will be felt throughout the Army and academy communities.”

“He internalized the ideals and values of West Point and exemplified them in all that he set out to do. Duty, Honor, Country were his touchstones,” Lt. Gen. Robert L. Read More

U.S. Hockey Hall of Famer and former Army head hockey coach Jack Riley passed away Feb. 3 in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, surrounded by his family and friends. He was 95 years old.

“Our family is saddened by the passing of our father,” current head coach Brian Riley said. “He lived a great life and although he is known as a hockey coach to many people, he was a great husband, father, grandfather and friend to all. My brothers, sister and I were especially grateful to have been able to call him dad and have had a wonderful and caring father for all these years.”

Army’s all-time winningest coach, Jack Riley, authored a 542-343-20 record during his remarkable 36-year career at the Black Knights’ hockey helm. Read More